EP0212538A2 - Luftreifen mit einer Dekorationsschicht und Verfahren zur Herstellung - Google Patents

Luftreifen mit einer Dekorationsschicht und Verfahren zur Herstellung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0212538A2
EP0212538A2 EP86111119A EP86111119A EP0212538A2 EP 0212538 A2 EP0212538 A2 EP 0212538A2 EP 86111119 A EP86111119 A EP 86111119A EP 86111119 A EP86111119 A EP 86111119A EP 0212538 A2 EP0212538 A2 EP 0212538A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tire
substrate
decal
coating
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP86111119A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0212538A3 (de
Inventor
Lynn A. Bryant
Thomas W. Bell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bridgestone Firestone Inc
Original Assignee
Firestone Tire and Rubber Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Firestone Tire and Rubber Co filed Critical Firestone Tire and Rubber Co
Publication of EP0212538A2 publication Critical patent/EP0212538A2/de
Publication of EP0212538A3 publication Critical patent/EP0212538A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60CVEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C13/00Tyre sidewalls; Protecting, decorating, marking, or the like, thereof
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60CVEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C13/00Tyre sidewalls; Protecting, decorating, marking, or the like, thereof
    • B60C13/04Tyre sidewalls; Protecting, decorating, marking, or the like, thereof having annular inlays or covers, e.g. white sidewalls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29DPRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/72Side-walls
    • B29D2030/726Decorating or marking the sidewalls before tyre vulcanization

Definitions

  • the invention herein resides in the art of vehicle tires and, more particularly, to such tires having decorative appliques thereon such as contin­uous sidewall bands.
  • the invention relates to a tire in which an applique is transferred to the tire during curing or vulcanization, and in which a standard tire carcass may be used for forming both black wall tires and those having decorative side­walls.
  • the invention comprises both the tire prod­uct and the process for making the same.
  • tires having decorative side­walls have been well known and well received in the marketplace.
  • the decorative portion of sidewalls having a decorative band on the side of the tire have typically been formed by the coextrusion of black rubber along with colored or white rubber, the resulting extrudate being applied to the side­wall of the tire and vulcanized therewith during the curing process.
  • This coextrusion process in­volves expensive materials, processing steps, and equipment.
  • the previously known process while progressively improving, often results in blemishes, imperfections, voids, and the like in the sidewall area, greatly increasing waste during the manufacturing process.
  • Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative applique and the process for making the same in which such process is a simple one, eliminating the steps and material previously used for coextruding a sidewall band or decorative material.
  • Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for making the same in which little or no waste is experienced in the manufac­turing process.
  • An additional aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for making the same which is given to numerous and various designs, colors, con­figurations, and the like.
  • Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative applique and the process for making the same in which better tire balance from side-to-side and better tire uni­formity is obtained than with previously known methods and structures.
  • Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for the making the same in which the sidewall construction is uniform, with no interruptions or changes of materials or modulus therein.
  • an assembly for applying a decorative applique to the sidewall of a tire comprising: a substrate; and a decal adhered upon a portion of said substrate; said decal and substrate being adapted for receipt by a tire mold during curing of the tire, said decal having a greater characteristic adherence for said tire than for said substrate after curing.
  • a decal assembly is designated generally by the numeral 10.
  • the decal assembly 10 includes an appropriate substrate 12 having a decal layer 14 maintained thereon.
  • the sub­strate 12 will be an annular ring of a width great­er than the decal layer 14 received thereby. While the decal layer 14 is shown in Fig.
  • the decal layer 14 may be of any of nu­merous geometric configurations, including letters and the like. Indeed, the layer 14 may be discon­tinuous, or may include decorative elements posi­tioned at different radiuses upon the substrate 12.
  • the decal assembly 10 may be received within a recess or groove 18 within a tire mold 16.
  • the depth of the recess 18 is such that the decal layer 14 extends to be flush with the mold surface 20 such that upon closure of the mold 16 the decal layer 14 makes contacting engage­ment with the tire sidewall.
  • the substrate 12 is preferably formed from any thermally-stable material which will release the decal layer such as acetate or polyester.
  • the substrate 12 may also be formed of paper having an appropriate sealing agent thereon such that the decal layer 14 does not per­meate the paper.
  • a stencil or mask may be used for depositing the decal layer 14 thereon.
  • the decal layer 14 comprises a polymeric paint which is appropri­ately deposited upon the substrate in the desired locations by appropriate positioning of the stencil of mask.
  • the polymeric paint may be applied in any of numerous suitable fashions such as brushing, spraying, or screening.
  • the polymeric paint will be deposited to a thickness of 0.001-­ ⁇ 0.010 inch.
  • the decorative applique or decal is of a substantially thin nature, lying flush with the sidewall of the tire, and extending therefrom an amount which is barely perceivable by the human eye. Further, its weight is negligible, not affecting the side-to-side balance of the tire.
  • a suitable poly­meric paint of the above nature is stenciled or screened upon a substrate 12 to form a decorative applique 14 thereon.
  • the resultant decal assembly 10 is placed within a ring-like groove 18 within a tire mold 16 such that the decal layer 14 will make contacting engagement with the tire upon closure of the mold.
  • the bladder With a green tire placed in the mold, the bladder is inflated and the mold closed in standard fashion.
  • the polymeric paint decal layer 14 makes contacting engagement with the sidewall of the tire and adheres thereto during the curing pro­cess. Initial adherence is enhanced by the tacky nature of the green tire.
  • the heat and pressure incident to tire curing achieves the bonding action of the decal layer 14 to the tire such that when the mold is opened and the tire removed, the affin­ity or adherence of the decal layer 14 to the tire will be greater than to the substrate 12.
  • the substrate 12 may be simply peeled away.
  • the backing substrate 14 does not have an affinity or compatability with the tire and does not adhere thereto.
  • the tire will be maintained in the mold at a temperature of 320-360 degrees F., and preferably 330-340 degrees F.
  • the tire will be maintained at this tempera­ture, and under pressure of the bladder in the range of 200-400 psi, for a period of 10-20 min­utes, but preferably 12-15 minutes, depending of course upon tire parameters such as thickness, size, composition, and the like.
  • the bonding of the decal layer 14 to the tire occurs during the curing operation in which the tire and decal are exposed to elevated tempera­ture and pressure.
  • the adherence of the decal lay­er 14 to the tire is permanent and significantly greater than the adherence to the substrate 12.
  • the substrate 12 is formed of temperature-stable materials such that the sub­strate 12 maintains its integrity during and after the curing operation. If flexible plastic or seal­ed paper is used as the substrate 12, the substrate 12 may be allowed to remain upon the tire during storage and shipment, being removed only when the tire is to be mounted upon a vehicle for placement into use. Accordingly, the substrate 12 may serve as a protective layer for the decal layer 14, keep­ing the decorative appliques clean and safe from harm until the tire is actually placed into use.
  • the surface of the substrate 12 should be uniformly smooth such that the resulting outward surface of the decorative applique will be correspondingly smooth and blemish- free. It has also been found that no special release coating is necessary for any of the recited substrate materials to properly function.
  • the depth of the recess 18 would typically be equal to the aggregate thickness of the decal layer 14 and the substrate 12.
  • the thickness of the substrate 12 will, of course, vary with respect to the material used to form the substrate.
  • the sub­strate will have a thickness on the order of 0.002-­0.050 inch.
  • the objects of the invention have been achieved by the structure and technique presented hereinabove.
  • the result is a tire having a decorative sidewall which is suf­ficiently thin as to leave tire balance substan­tially unaffected.
  • the decorative appli­ques may be adhered to a standard black wall tire such that a single standard black wall tire may be constructed with the determination made just prior to the curing process as to whether or not the tire is to remain a black wall or include a decorative applique.
  • Coextrusions, finish buffing, designing of dies, and the adding of protective paints to the finished sidewall are all eliminated. All of this is achieved at considerable savings of time and expense without degradation to tire performance or appearance.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Tyre Moulding (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Coating Of Shaped Articles Made Of Macromolecular Substances (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Heating, Cooling, Or Curing Plastics Or The Like In General (AREA)
  • Decoration By Transfer Pictures (AREA)
EP86111119A 1985-08-16 1986-08-12 Luftreifen mit einer Dekorationsschicht und Verfahren zur Herstellung Withdrawn EP0212538A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/766,227 US4767481A (en) 1985-08-16 1985-08-16 Process for making a tire having decorative applique
US766227 1985-08-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0212538A2 true EP0212538A2 (de) 1987-03-04
EP0212538A3 EP0212538A3 (de) 1989-05-10

Family

ID=25075791

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86111119A Withdrawn EP0212538A3 (de) 1985-08-16 1986-08-12 Luftreifen mit einer Dekorationsschicht und Verfahren zur Herstellung

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US4767481A (de)
EP (1) EP0212538A3 (de)
JP (1) JPS6241005A (de)
KR (1) KR870001952A (de)
AR (1) AR245039A1 (de)
BR (1) BR8603898A (de)
ES (1) ES2001212A6 (de)
MX (1) MX167592B (de)
PT (1) PT83212B (de)
ZA (1) ZA865434B (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0249918A2 (de) * 1986-06-17 1987-12-23 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Vorgeformte Ansatzteile für Reifenseitenwände und Verfahren zum Anbringen derselben
DE3833711A1 (de) * 1988-10-04 1990-04-05 Siebdruck Und Plastic Seri Pla Verfahren zur dauerhaften kennzeichnung von gummiartikeln mit bombierten oberflaechen insbesondere von fahrzeugreifen und substrat
US5160383A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-11-03 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Tire having identification label affixed thereto
EP0572203A1 (de) * 1992-05-25 1993-12-01 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Co. Ltd Etikette zur Befestigung an einem Reifen und Material dieser Etikette
US5461748A (en) * 1993-08-30 1995-10-31 Houei Co., Ltd. Mat, mat with name and method for anchoring name seal
EP0701913A1 (de) * 1994-03-14 1996-03-20 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Herstellung von Reifen mit präzise positionierten Etiketten oder Aufdrucken
DE19708233A1 (de) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Beiersdorf Ag Farbband zur Verzierung von Gummioberflächen
WO2008155155A1 (de) * 2007-06-20 2008-12-24 Continental Aktiengeseellschaft Verfahren zum positionieren und vulkanisieren von gestanzten folien auf reifenseitenwänden

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5055347A (en) * 1988-12-09 1991-10-08 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Retroreflective sheeting adapted to be bonded to vulcanizable or curable substrate
JPH0316519A (ja) * 1989-06-14 1991-01-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd ジャー炊飯器
US5300164A (en) * 1992-02-07 1994-04-05 Bridgestone Corporation Pneumatic tire having a decorative applique and a method for applying a decorative applique to a tire
US5428857A (en) * 1992-07-20 1995-07-04 Milliken Research Corporation Identifiable rubber backed product
US5454894A (en) * 1994-03-30 1995-10-03 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Apparatus for producing tire with injection molded white sidewall
KR100272125B1 (ko) * 1996-05-29 2000-11-15 하기와라 세이지 저투과성 열가소성 엘라스토머 조성물을 기체 투과 방지층에 사용하는 공기 주입 타이어 및 이에 사용하는 열가소성 엘라스토머 조성물
US7011880B2 (en) * 2002-07-03 2006-03-14 The Gates Corporation Belt and method of marking
US7156936B2 (en) * 2003-07-01 2007-01-02 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Camouflage or otherwise multicolored pattern tire and method of manufacturing
US20050224153A1 (en) * 2004-04-12 2005-10-13 Al Speyer Use of colored indicia on tires as a designator
US7387144B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2008-06-17 Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, Llc Tire having a textured marking and method of making same
MX2008013321A (es) * 2006-04-18 2009-02-12 Treadfx Llc Producción de un neumático con un polímero orgánico termoplástico imprimible.
JP2010253857A (ja) * 2009-04-27 2010-11-11 Konan Tokushu Sangyo Kk オーナメント付熱可塑性樹脂シートの成形方法及び成形用型
NL2006749C2 (en) 2011-05-10 2012-11-13 Apollo Vredestein Bv Method for manufacturing a tire with a colored sidewall.
US9562748B2 (en) 2013-07-01 2017-02-07 Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Llc Methods and apparatuses for creating a visual effect on a rubber article
CN106660409A (zh) * 2014-07-03 2017-05-10 普利司通美国轮胎运营有限责任公司 轮辋保护装置的侧壁装饰
WO2016109088A1 (en) * 2014-12-30 2016-07-07 Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Llc Method and apparatus for utilizing preprinted labels and appliqués on a tire

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3285314A (en) * 1963-02-04 1966-11-15 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Method of making a light colored sidewall tire and article produced thereby
US3449201A (en) * 1965-11-05 1969-06-10 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Tire sidewall facings
US4256159A (en) * 1979-09-12 1981-03-17 Williams James H Method and apparatus for marking tires

Family Cites Families (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1552907A (en) * 1925-01-07 1925-09-08 New York Belting & Packing Com Process for forming and applying rubber designs and products thereof
US2611153A (en) * 1948-01-29 1952-09-23 Goodrich Co B F Temporary protective coating and method of vulcanizing
US2646379A (en) * 1949-11-08 1953-07-21 Meyercord Co Method of decorating an uncured rubber article
DE1078907B (de) * 1954-01-08 1960-03-31 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Mittel zum Bezeichnen oder Mustern von Gegenstaenden aus Kautschukmischungen u. ae. Stoffen
GB867225A (en) * 1956-08-01 1961-05-03 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Label tape
US3073371A (en) * 1958-12-22 1963-01-15 Monsanto Chemicals Light colored tire sidewall impervious to migratory staining materials
US3114650A (en) * 1960-06-10 1963-12-17 Spraylat Corp Tire coated with removable coating comprising modified polyvinyl alcohol and method of coating
US3113902A (en) * 1962-05-17 1963-12-10 P & D Corp Apparatus for vulcanizing ornamental trim on tire walls
US3280427A (en) * 1964-02-03 1966-10-25 Cooper Tire & Rubber Co Apparatus for extruding composite black and white rubber strips for white sidewall tires
US3382120A (en) * 1964-12-18 1968-05-07 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Varicolored sidewall tire
US3607498A (en) * 1967-05-17 1971-09-21 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Method of producing tires having decorative sidewalls
US3764455A (en) * 1970-04-01 1973-10-09 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Reflective surface and method of production
US3865663A (en) * 1970-04-11 1975-02-11 Bridgestone Tire Co Ltd Patterned rubber article and a process for making the same
US4170503A (en) * 1975-10-20 1979-10-09 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company White sidewall tire
US4038256A (en) * 1975-11-24 1977-07-26 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Nonstaining polyurethane from cycloaliphatic or aliphatic diisocyanates and polyhexenediol-phthalates
US4019945A (en) * 1976-03-10 1977-04-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Strip applying device
US4072645A (en) * 1976-07-19 1978-02-07 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Transparent pre-cure coating for rubbery polymers
JPS5469190A (en) * 1977-11-15 1979-06-02 Inoue Gomu Kogyo Kk Method for forming decorative part such as character or design on sidewall of tire
US4237173A (en) * 1979-04-26 1980-12-02 The General Tire & Rubber Company White sidewall tire
US4259227A (en) * 1979-09-21 1981-03-31 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Polyurethane compositions for tire sidewalls and composite articles
US4318436A (en) * 1980-08-19 1982-03-09 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Tire sidewall addition members that undergo perceptible change during abnormal operation
US4461795A (en) * 1982-03-01 1984-07-24 Bridgestone Tire Company Limited Marks for use in rubber articles
JPS5975808A (ja) * 1982-10-23 1984-04-28 Bridgestone Corp カラ−サイド表示タイヤ

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3285314A (en) * 1963-02-04 1966-11-15 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Method of making a light colored sidewall tire and article produced thereby
US3449201A (en) * 1965-11-05 1969-06-10 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Tire sidewall facings
US4256159A (en) * 1979-09-12 1981-03-17 Williams James H Method and apparatus for marking tires

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0249918A2 (de) * 1986-06-17 1987-12-23 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Vorgeformte Ansatzteile für Reifenseitenwände und Verfahren zum Anbringen derselben
EP0249918A3 (en) * 1986-06-17 1989-03-01 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Premolded tire sidewall appliques and process for applying same
DE3833711A1 (de) * 1988-10-04 1990-04-05 Siebdruck Und Plastic Seri Pla Verfahren zur dauerhaften kennzeichnung von gummiartikeln mit bombierten oberflaechen insbesondere von fahrzeugreifen und substrat
US5160383A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-11-03 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Tire having identification label affixed thereto
EP0572203A1 (de) * 1992-05-25 1993-12-01 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Co. Ltd Etikette zur Befestigung an einem Reifen und Material dieser Etikette
US5358772A (en) * 1992-05-25 1994-10-25 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Indication label to be adhered to rubber tire and material of label
US5461748A (en) * 1993-08-30 1995-10-31 Houei Co., Ltd. Mat, mat with name and method for anchoring name seal
EP0701913A1 (de) * 1994-03-14 1996-03-20 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Herstellung von Reifen mit präzise positionierten Etiketten oder Aufdrucken
DE19708233A1 (de) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Beiersdorf Ag Farbband zur Verzierung von Gummioberflächen
WO2008155155A1 (de) * 2007-06-20 2008-12-24 Continental Aktiengeseellschaft Verfahren zum positionieren und vulkanisieren von gestanzten folien auf reifenseitenwänden

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA865434B (en) 1987-03-25
EP0212538A3 (de) 1989-05-10
PT83212A (en) 1986-09-01
US4767481A (en) 1988-08-30
JPS6241005A (ja) 1987-02-23
BR8603898A (pt) 1987-03-24
PT83212B (pt) 1992-10-30
AR245039A1 (es) 1993-12-30
MX167592B (es) 1993-03-31
KR870001952A (ko) 1987-03-28
ES2001212A6 (es) 1988-05-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0212538A2 (de) Luftreifen mit einer Dekorationsschicht und Verfahren zur Herstellung
US5300164A (en) Pneumatic tire having a decorative applique and a method for applying a decorative applique to a tire
US4420447A (en) Process for producing foam moldings with an insert
US4874654A (en) Vehicle window glass
AU700087B2 (en) Method and spray mould assembly for manufacturing an elastomeric skin of at least two elastomeric materials and such elastomeric skin
US4252589A (en) Method for forming a mark indication on a tire side wall
US7387144B2 (en) Tire having a textured marking and method of making same
CA2291496A1 (en) Method for preparing an innerliner of a pneumatic tire for the quick bonding of an electronic monitoring device
US4098856A (en) Method of making a composite mold for making polyurethane foam decorative parts
CA2041826A1 (en) Mold apparatus and method for forming encapsulated glass
US6391134B1 (en) Tire with sidewall having integral applique over spaced apart scuff resistant ribs
EP0249918B1 (de) Vorgeformte Ansatzteile für Reifenseitenwände und Verfahren zum Anbringen derselben
GB2114511A (en) Decorative ornamentation for a rubber article
CA1322638C (en) Method and apparatus for replacing sidewall of tire
US3865663A (en) Patterned rubber article and a process for making the same
US3511291A (en) Renewed heavy-duty tire with a lugged tread thereon
JPH11245261A (ja) アクリルフィルムインサート成形品とその製造方法
US5061428A (en) Method for plastic coating foam molding insert
JPS6210105Y2 (de)
JPS5971838A (ja) 装飾体を有するカラ−バンパ−カバ−の製造方法
EP0691223A2 (de) Herstellung eines Kautschukproduktes mit einer genau angeordneter Dekorationsschicht, die mit abriebrippen geschützt wird
JP3299007B2 (ja) ゴム製複色弾性舗装材の製造方法
US20020064635A1 (en) Molded product, parting surface covering masks and producing methods of the same
JPH0321956Y2 (de)
KR0171677B1 (ko) 이형성능을 갖는 타이어 가류 블래더의 제조방법

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT LU

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT LU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19890904

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19910301

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: BELL, THOMAS W.

Inventor name: BRYANT, LYNN A.